Why eat breakfast early and have timely meals

The purpose behind eating breakfast as early as possible is to help one maintain and retain 'Soma' (the divine nectar or 'amrit' which is formed further to the 'Urdhvareta kriya'- by the reversal of gross semen upwards into the Ajna chakra in the brain near the cerebellum) and prevent burning up of 'Ojas' (an astral fluid formed by the further conversion of 'Soma' into a kind of electricity), stored in the astral body.

In a Brahmachari who is continuously sublimating his semen upwards, semen converts itself into 'Soma' in the Ajna Chakra near the cerebellum in the brain - called as the 'Chandrasthana' (region of the Moon). This 'Soma' is very important for health and well being and also responsible in merging the Manas (mind) and Prana (vital energy) into the Atman or Brahman during the stage of 'Nirbija Samadhi' (super-consciousness). It also nourishes the body continuously during Samadhi, thereby maintaining vitality and health in the body despite lack of food or water during Samadhi. This is how a Yogi can stay in Samadhi for days, months or even years without food, water and even breath, for all his vital organs including the heart and lungs completely stop working in the advanced stage of Nirbija Samadhi. In an ordinary man, stoppage of these vital organs leads to death. But in the Yogi who has reached the advanced state of Nirbija Samadhi, his body maintains life and freshness despite lack of food, water and breath.

This mysterious and fascinating process is effected by none other than 'Soma' (nectar) trickling down into his system in this state of super-consciousness as a substitute to food, water and even breath. Thus 'Soma' is of utmost importance and very precious to the Yogi, for it is derived after sublimating Rethas (semen). Without considerable reserves of Soma, a Yogi cannot ever enter deep Samadhi (which explains why it takes many years of unbroken Brahmacharya to reach Nirbija Samadhi even in those who have striven for the same in previous births). Only one who is reaching very close to the state of complete Urdhvarethas becomes capable of entering the Nirbija state of super-consciousness. If semen itself is precious, one can imagine how much more precious 'Soma' should be considering it is formed by further process & sublimation of semen upwards in the brain. Rethas (semen) is the gross most form of 'Bindu' (seed) while Soma (nectar) is the subtle most form of Bindu. It is Soma which is responsible for the Yogi maintaining a youthful and healthy body despite eating limited quantities of food. This is the reason why a Yogi does not require much food to stay healthy and strong unlike the ordinary man who needs a large quantity of food.

While the region of the Ajna Chakra in the brain is called as the 'Chandrasthana' (region of the moon), the Manipura Chakra in the region of the navel (stomach) is called as the 'Suryasthana' (region of the Sun). This region is opposite to the nature of the Moon, for located here is the heat generating point of the body. It is this region which is responsible for generating heat within the body to sustain life. This region also generates the 'Jatharaagni' (gastric fire) which is represented by the copious discharge of gastric juices during meal times. By the practice of Yoga and Brahmacharya, the flame of Jatharaagni becomes long and powerful leading to a strong appetite and hunger at breakfast and meal times. During these times, if proper food were not to be taken, the Jatharaagni begins to devour Soma trickling down from the region of the Moon. Since Soma is the distilled part of Rethas (semen), this burning up of Soma (finest form of Bindu or seed) by the gastric fire equals a corresponding burnout of Semen. When this happens, the body of the Yogi starts to age, debilitate and decay. It leads to ill-health and weakness.

This tallies with what is mentioned in the scriptures:

" In the case of those who practice Yoga, the Jatharaagni heightens and the Yogi should hence eat food properly. If not done, the fire starts consuming the body itself leading to devitalization" - Chap I/80-81 - The Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

For this reason, a Yogi never keeps his stomach empty but resorts to the correct quantity of food at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast taken at morning represents the end of a 12 hour fast (from the previous evening to next day morning). The body, after waking up in the morning and performing Yoga is high on Jatharaagni (gastric fire). It is seen in the form of strong hunger. The Yogi must now feed his stomach with food at the earliest, for failing to do so in the midst of hunger will lead to consumption of Soma by the Sun in the region of the navel. All his efforts at Brahmacharya will then be of no use. Eating proper breakfast at the earliest quenches the flame of the Sun and leaves Soma untouched and available for health, vitality and Samadhi. This is why eating breakfast as early as possible, especially when hunger arises is important.

Not only breakfast, the responsible Yogi should never delay his other meals. If one feels extreme hunger right on waking up at in the morning, it is a sign that some milk, fruit, malted milk beverage or other food should be fed into the stomach. Hunger is the symbol of a fired up 'Jatharaagni'. If there is no hunger on waking up, one can immediately take to Yoga practice without eating by drinking a glass or two of water. However if there are signs of strong hunger, one should drink some milk or malt or eat some food without fail. Yoga should never be practiced on an empty stomach suffering from the pangs of hunger. It will lead to old age and decay of the body. This is why the Yogic scriptures advocate eating fruit, milk, buttermilk, nuts or any other available food when assailed by hunger even at other times. Fasting is not for the Yogi. It produces weakness and eats away Soma. Fasting is advocated for a short time only on the rare occasions when there is a serious stomach upset or some other illness. One should neither overeat nor starve but maintain 'Mitahaara'(moderate diet) on a timely basis.

ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)